OBAMA'S AFRAID OF RUSH
Find a Conversation
| Mon, 01-26-2009 - 12:48pm |
Obama: Quit Listening to Rush Limbaugh if You Want to Get Things Done
Obama warned Republicans to quit listening to Limbaugh if they want to get along with Democrats, during a White House discussion on his nearly $1 trillion stimulus package.
WASHINGTON -- President Obama warned Republicans on Capitol Hill today that they need to quit listening to radio king Rush Limbaugh if they want to get along with Democrats and the new administration.
"You can't just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done," he told top GOP leaders, whom he had invited to the White House to discuss his nearly $1 trillion stimulus package.
One White House official confirmed the comment but said he was simply trying to make a larger point about bipartisan efforts.
"There are big things that unify Republicans and Democrats," the official said. "We shouldn't let partisan politics derail what are very important things that need to get done."
That wasn't Obama's only jab at Republicans today.
While discussing the stimulus package with top lawmakers in the White House's Roosevelt Room, President Obama shot down a critic with a simple message.
"I won," he said, according to aides who were briefed on the meeting. "I will trump you on that."
The response was to the objection by Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.) to the president's proposal to increase benefits for low-income workers who don't owe federal income taxes.

Pages
I never said that you did.
I was listening to an interview with a congressman last night, just the tail end, I think it was Bainyrd (spelling, I know) He was asked about Obama's comment regarding Rush, and while he declined to discuss the detail of it, his general comments got me thinking. Obama was trying to marginalize Rush.
Obama is a very sly man. He knows how to work people, and we are just seeing the beginning of it. I think that Rush was right on with his assessment.
****
"The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings." --Eric Hoffer
*****
"The two parties have combined against us to nullify our power by a ‘gentleman's agreement' of non-recognition, no matter how we vote ... May God write us down as asses if ever again we are found putting our trust in either the Republican or the Democratic Parties." -- W.E.B. DuBois (1922)
I find it rather unnerving that Obama would be telling people, whether the general public, or Congressmen, not to listen to someone because they have opposing views.
****
"The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings." --Eric Hoffer
*****
"The two parties have combined against us to nullify our power by a ‘gentleman's agreement' of non-recognition, no matter how we vote ... May God write us down as asses if ever again we are found putting our trust in either the Republican or the Democratic Parties." -- W.E.B. DuBois (1922)
One thing about Rush, he certainly knows how to attract an audience and a lot of free publicity. So far, his method has worked well for him.
****
"The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings." --Eric Hoffer
*****
"The two parties have combined against us to nullify our power by a ‘gentleman's agreement' of non-recognition, no matter how we vote ... May God write us down as asses if ever again we are found putting our trust in either the Republican or the Democratic Parties." -- W.E.B. DuBois (1922)
One thing about Rush, he certainly knows how to attract an audience and a lot of free publicity. So far, his method has worked well for him.
No question about that!
<>
But he didn't tell people not to listen to Rush.
I'm not sure we have the exact quote from what he told the Congressmen. As I said in a previous post, a congressman was being interviewed last night and he was asked about this, he declined to discuss specifically what Obama said, but he did say something about Obama seemingly thinking that Republican congressman were getting there information from Rush regarding economic policy and they shouldn't be. If I was a congressman, I'd have been insulted, and I think this man was by the tone in his voice as he tried to answer but not say too much. These are professional men and women, to suggest that they are sitting around waiting for Rush to tell them how to think. I do wish we could have a transcript of that meeting to know just what Obama did say.
He doesn't have to say "do not listen to", he is trying to marginalize Rush and his influence. You don't have to take issue with that, I'm guessing you wouldn't mind Rush going off the air.
As I've said before, I don't listen to him much, although I will today. I don't really care for his satire, I don't care for the way he sensationalizing to gain an audience, but it's what he has to do to be successful. If he just shared his knowledge, he'd be pretty boring and no one would listen for 3 hours. Just as Michael Moore would not have the following he has if he didn't sensationalize; and many look past that because they agree with his message.
****
"The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings." --Eric Hoffer
*****
"The two parties have combined against us to nullify our power by a ‘gentleman's agreement' of non-recognition, no matter how we vote ... May God write us down as asses if ever again we are found putting our trust in either the Republican or the Democratic Parties." -- W.E.B. DuBois (1922)
Interesting that in the discussions of the stimulus package that Obama made that statement.
Pages